The best side won the biggest match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff as Australia won their second Webb Ellis trophy, downing the gallant French 35-12 in the World Cup final.
The Wallabies, strong favourites for this match, didn't fail to take the chances offered to them in a scrappy, bad-tempered encounter. The handling of their backline was key but also the performance in defence of the men in gold.
"We have a lot of pride in our defence and that was what won it for us," said Australian captain John Eales, with a big grin on his face, shortly after the final whistle blew and shortly before receiving the golden cup and hoisting it to the Cardiff heavens to a massive roar.
A 65th minute try from winger Ben Tune blew the game open after the two sides' kickers, French fly-half Christophe Lamaison and Australian fullback Matt Burke had traded penalties throughout the first half. A break from scum-half George Gregan went out to substitute flanker Owen Finegan, who popped to the wing for his 22nd Test try in the right hand corner.
A bad-tempered first half was punctuated by penalties, and Burke emerged on top, despite missing two penalties from less than 40 metres out. Pelous was yellow-carded by referee Andrew Watson following a mass of punches in the seventh minute, following a try-saving tackle by Bernat-Salles on Roff.
More surprising was the yellow card on Australian captain Eales shortly afterwards. His punch in a scrum was spotted by the touch judge and Lamaison converted the penalty to tie the scores at six.
As the half closed, a Garbajosa drop kick was charged down and, as Les Bleus continually killed the ball, Burke slotted one over from 31 metres out for a 12-6 lead.
France never looked like scoring the vital five-pointer that would have put the two sides on a par. They continually killed play, and were justly penalised. A try for Finegan five minutes into time added on perhaps exaggerated the prowess of the Aussies but it was a just reward for the man who has been used as an impact substitute throughout the tournament.
"We've had some close ones, against South Africa and against Wales, but it was a little more comfortable in this one," said Eales.
The Australians will certainly be comfortable tonight as they bask in the glory of a hard-fought second World title.
The teams:
Australia: 1 Andrew Blades, 2 Michael Foley, 3 Richard Harry, 4 John Eales (c), 5 David Giffin, 6 Matt Cockbain, 7 David Wilson, 8 Toutai Kefu, 9 George Gregan, 10 Steve Larkham, 11 Joe Roff, 12 Dan Herbert, 13 Tim Horan, 14 Ben Tune, 15 Matthew Burke
Reserves: Mark Connors, Dan Crowley, Owen Finegan, Nathan Grey, Jason Little, Jeremy Paul, Chris Whitaker
France: 1 Cedric Soulette, 2 Raphael Ibanez (c), 3 Franck Tournaire, 4 Abdelatif Benazzi, 5 Fabien Pelous, 6 Marc Lievremont, 7 Olivier Magne, 8 Christophe Juillet, 9 Fabien Galthie, 10 Christophe Lamaison, 11 Philippe Bernat-Salles, 12 Richard Dourthe, 13 Emile Ntamack, 14 Christophe Dominici, 15 Xavier Garbajosa
Reserves: Olivier Brouzet, Arnaud Costes, Marc Dal Maso, Pieter De Villiers, Stephane Glas, Ugo Mola, Stephane Castaignede
Attendance: 72000
Referee: Watson a
Points Scorers:
Australia
Tries: Finegan O.D.A. 1, Tune B.N. 1
Conv: Burke M.C. 2
Pen K.: Burke M.C. 7
France
Pen K.: Lamaison C. 4
